GORE - All rise - This is Ben Bell County

**nztx** · 16-05-2023, 05:45 PM

About time we had a thread on this small County down south where the Local
choice of Mayor is encountering head winds against an entrenched Old Boys Brigade

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gore-d...KXN64WE63RHO4/

Gore District Council showdown: NZ’s youngest mayor Ben Bell survives; vote of no confidence shelved

New Zealand’s youngest mayor has survived a showdown meeting with a motion of no confidence no longer being pursued.

After months of dysfunction, where Gore District Council Mayor Ben Bell and long-standing chief executive Stephen Parry no longer talk, the future of the council had been hanging in the balance.

Bell, who has consistently said he will see out the job that he won by just eight votes from six-term incumbent mayor Tracy Hicks, refused.

The news brought huge cheers from a packed public gallery this afternoon.

Don't forget to organise wider overage for this intriguing changing of the guard at GORE
COUNIL so many more can see how it should be done elsewhere

Time for a new day job - away from Local Bodies - Stephen ?

You might feel a lot happier away from the hustle bustle of Local Body Red Tape
and the new talent the constituents want fronting the Council

When does the next Public Vote occur for votes of Confidence in the rest of the Council
who have probably been in the pews for too long ?

**Ferg** · 18-05-2023, 08:31 PM

So was this a personality clash or something else? Do we know the true story?

**fungus pudding** · 19-05-2023, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Ferg

So was this a personality clash or something else? Do we know the true story?

No. We don't.

**nztx** · 31-05-2023, 08:26 PM

Is the CEO still away on compassionate recovery leave .. or have normal battle lines resumed
with a further supply of bricks labelled "Love from the people of Gore" stacked up in case ?

**nztx** · 01-06-2023, 12:53 PM

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-ti...os-resignation

Councillor's employee set up petition calling for Gore CEO's resignation

A petition calling for the resignation of Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry was instigated by an employee of a current councillor.

Councillor Joe Stringer confirmed on Wednesday morning that he employed Sean Burke, who set up the online petition.

“Yes, I know it doesn’t look good, and I have had a discussion with him about it,’’ Stringer said.

“I wasn’t happy about it. But I can’t tell people what to do in their day-to-day lives.’’

“I probably will at some stage and have a chat with him about it, or talk to Richard [Cr Richard McPhail] because he’s working with him,’’ Stringer said.

McPhail is working as an intermediary between Parry and Bell after their working relationship broke down.

Both Bell and Parry said it would be inappropriate for them to comment.

Parry returned to work on Tuesday following two weeks compassionate leave after his mother-in-law died in Wellington.

He was not at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday the council said he was ‘’adopting a hybrid model, mainly working from home but also spending time in the office. He will return to the office full-time next Tuesday’’.

The petition, which gained nearly 5000 supporters, will be considered by the council at a meeting on June 13.

What to do when much of the County have shown they don't want the CEO

How about a compassionate immediate resignation handed into Council to avoid further rounds of Goring ?

Gored Lord Man - the people have clearly signalled they love their Mayor and Councillors far more than the non elected CEO .. They do expect to see the right thing, so why not oblige ?

**nztx** · 02-06-2023, 01:42 PM

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-ti...e-roll-bakeoff

Watch: A chat with Gore mayor Ben Bell and the great southern cheese roll bake-off

Far better Rolls than Labour's Clown Face in Govt front benches is seen scoffing

**nztx** · 09-06-2023, 04:22 PM

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-ti...ullying-claims

Gore District Council chief executive breaks his silence on bullying claims

Gored Lord .. look what is finally back on deck

Stephen - the locals just don't appear to want to show much love for the paid Juggling Act at the top

Only one thing they expect to be done now and it looks like they aren't going to roll over ..

It would be most honorable to take the punishment and depart, would it not ?

**nztx** · 13-06-2023, 04:49 PM

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-ti...against-motion

Live: Gore's council vote not to receive petition calling on its CEO Stephen Parry to resign - mayor votes against motion

The Gore District Council has voted not to receive a petition calling on the resignation of the Gore District Council chief executive officer.

However, Gore mayor Ben Bell voted against the motion not to receive it.

A meeting is being held in Gore where the council has discussed a petition calling on its chief executive Stephen Parry to resign.

Bell opened the meeting and warned people in the packed public gallery that if there were any major disturbances he would stand, and that would be a final warning.

Bell presented the petition to the council, which had 4858 signatures, and then opened the floor for comment.

Gored Lord .. Let the games recommence .. at 50 paces

How many of the Councillors will likely be out on their tail feathers down the road next time round ?

**Bill Smith** · 13-06-2023, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by nztx

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-ti...against-motion

Live: Gore's council vote not to receive petition calling on its CEO Stephen Parry to resign - mayor votes against motion

Gored Lord .. Let the games recommence .. at 50 paces

How many of the Councillors will likely be out of their tail feathers down the road next time round ?

9% of those that signed the petition were from Gored and Ben Bells mother is a close associate of the petition organiser, so all is not as it seems.